Australian opening batter Usman Khawaja was ruled out of the second Ashes Test against England, starting in Brisbane on December 4. The 38-year-old will miss the match due to a back injury, but will remain with the team to continue his rehabilitation.
The left-hander did light training during the hosts’ optional training session at the Gabba on Monday, batting in the nets as well as undergoing back stretches and shuttle runs.
“Khawaja will remain with the team to continue his rehabilitation,” Cricket Australia said in a statement.
The southpaw did not bat in either innings of the first Test at Perth, with Marnus Labuschagne opening the batting in the first essay and Travis Head in the second. The latter produced arguably his finest Test innings in the second dig, where he made an 83-ball 123 to help Australia chase down England’s target of 205 runs comfortably with eight wickets in hand.
He could continue to play that role in the pink ball day-night Test match and allow Australia to slot in Beau Webster, in all probability, in the middle-order. Head had said he would be happy to open the batting if needed in the second Test match.
“I’m happy. If that’s what is needed to win a Test match and if that’s what’s required, then I’m fine with it. I’m preparing for anything at this stage,” the southpaw had said.
He also added that batting orders were “overrated”, admitting that eventually it was about winning the game and not about who batted where in the order.
“I think you could use this order and these players in a range of different ways, and whatever way that is (needed) to win games of cricket. I agree with Pat that (batting orders) are slightly overrated. The traditionalists will say that that’s how it’s got to be [on batting orders], but this is where the game’s going – when to use that and when’s the right time?,” he had said.
Khawaja will now be in a race against time to be fit for the third Test match, which starts in Adelaide on December 17.
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